Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Stephen Kinnock and Mark Pritchard(2Â weeks, 6Â days ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Kinnock)
I recognise the connectivity benefits of transport. The overall cross-border connectivity that has been announced relates to the ÂŁ14 billion that we are going to invest in rail in Wales, with ÂŁ455 million secured at the spending review. This plan will transform connectivity across Wales, and between Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Mark Pritchard
I congratulate the Secretary of State on his appointment to the Cabinet. He will know that I have very fond memories of his constituency, growing up as a young boy. Will he throw his support behind the open-access application by the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway company to the Office of Rail and Road? The new revised application would include Wellington in my constituency and give a ÂŁ3 million economic boost to that market town. Will he work with Network Rail, the Office of Rail and Road and the Transport Secretary, and get that new timetable and route delivered?
Stephen Kinnock
I know about and welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s strong connections to Wales. I recognise the connectivity benefits that WSMR’s proposal could deliver, particularly for passengers in Wales and the west midlands. I am pleased that the Secretary of State for Transport has provided conditional support for the application, subject to the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail being satisfied that services can be accommodated without compromising network performance or affecting the rights of other operators. I will certainly join him in making the case for that compelling project.
Palestinian Communities: Israeli Demolitions
Debate between Stephen Kinnock and Mark Pritchard(8Â years, 9Â months ago)
Westminster HallRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
May I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate and thank him for making such powerful points? In December 2017, a Palestinian reflecting on the 100 years since the Balfour declaration will find that only half the deal has been done and that the Palestinians have got nothing. There have been millions of refugees over a period longer than any other relating to refugees all over the world. Palestinians cannot access their land because it has been taken systematically and there have been demolitions and planning restrictions. On top of that, Donald Trump has declared, illegally, that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. The situation for Palestinians must be awful and dark. What hope do they really have?